Lakers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Magic: Ranking The NBA's Top 10 Teams

With one-third of the NBA season completed NBA Primetime presents the fourth installment of the Top 10 NBA teams Power Rankings.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (24-5) Last Week-1

Although the Lakers suffered a surprising Christmas upset to the Cleveland Cavaliers, they still remain with the best overall record in the league; but it's evident that their bench needs improvement as well as their starting point-guard position.

2. Boston Celtics (23-6) Last Week-2

Even though the Celtics are coming off of a tough last second loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, they are currently 1-1 without Paul Pierce. More importantly, the victory came against the Magic in Orlando. The big and bad C's still hold the best road record at 13-2.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-8) Last Week-7

Since ranking seventh in last weeks power rankings the Cavaliers have managed to win four straight games, defeating Phoenix, Sacramento, and the Los Angeles Lakers on the road and Houston at the Q. Needless to say, LeBron is averaging a preposterous 28.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 7.8 APG. When was the last time an NBA player did that?

4. Orlando Magic (22-8) Last Week-3

The Magic have yet to play a game since being defeated by the Celtics in their own arena. Many questions have risen after the loss on whether or not the Magic are strong enough to get past the Celtics in the future, but with a consistent healthy roster Orlando should be able to regain their confidence and build more chemistry.

5. Atlanta Hawks (21-8) Last Week-4

The Hawks currently rank fourth in the league in scoring (105.62 PPG) along with the second best opponent points differential (+ 8.03), only trailing the Celtics. After a disappointing 20-point loss to the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta came out firing against the lowly Indiana Pacers. With such a stacked starting five plus sixth-man Jamal Crawford, the Hawks are in for a surprise season.

6. Dallas Mavericks (22-9) Last Week-5

The Mavericks came out and defeated the Nuggets by 8 after Nowitzki publicly came out and stated that he felt like he had to do it all by himself during their victory over the Grizzlies. With Josh Howard back in the lineup Dallas has compiled an impressive 7-2 record and quite honestly, they look stronger than ever.

7. Denver Nuggets (20-11) Last Week-8

The Nuggets have gone 1-3 without starting point-guard Chauncey Billups in the lineup and have now lost two straight games against Portland and Dallas. It's clear that George Karl's team is nothing without their star Billups on the court.

8. Portland Trail Blazers (20-12) Last Week-10

The Blazers have miraculously won each of their last four games against the Heat, Mavericks, Spurs, and Nuggets. Even with half of their roster injured Portland has managed to compile victories, but how long will it be until their injuries ultimately catch up to them?

9. Phoenix Suns (19-12) Last Week-6

After winning all but three games in the month of November, the Suns have (just as predicted), lost 9 of their 14 total games played in December. To add more salt to the wound, Phoenix faces up against both the Lakers and Celtics before the months end.